A survey conducted in 2011 by the Public Religion Research Institute helps to explain the constancy of opinion over these four decades. In one question, seven-in-ten Americans said the term “pro-choice” described them, while nearly two-thirds in another question in the poll said that the term “pro-life” described them. Americans are at one and the same time pro-life and pro-choice. They respect the sanctity of life, and they value individual choice. Within their own hearts, there are competing emotions. Most don’t feel comfortable in either the pro-life or pro-choice camps.

A survey conducted in 2011 by the Public Religion Research Institute helps to explain the constancy of opinion over these four decades. In one question, seven-in-ten Americans said the term “pro-choice” described them, while nearly two-thirds in another question in the poll said that the term “pro-life” described them. Americans are at one and the same time pro-life and pro-choice. They respect the sanctity of life, and they value individual choice. Within their own hearts, there are competing emotions. Most don’t feel comfortable in either the pro-life or pro-choice camps.